Thomas Sankara

21 December 1949 – 15 October 1987

Thomas Sankara was a Burkinabè military officer and revolutionary who served as president of Burkina Faso from 1983 until his assassination in 1987. Known as 'Africa's Che Guevara', he launched sweeping social, ecological, and economic reforms and renamed the country from Upper Volta.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Thomas Sankara.

Life events

Born in Yako, Upper Volta
21 December 1949

Sankara was born in Yako in French Upper Volta.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Trained as a military officer
1970 – 1973

He received military training, including in Madagascar, and rose through the army.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Prime Minister of Upper Volta
10 January 1983

He was named prime minister but was later arrested amid political tensions.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Came to power in a coup
4 August 1983 – 15 October 1987

He became president of Upper Volta following a popularly supported coup.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Launched national reform campaigns
1984 – 1987

He led mass vaccination, literacy, tree-planting, and women's rights programs.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Renamed the country Burkina Faso
4 August 1984

He changed the nation's name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning 'Land of Upright People'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Assassinated in Ouagadougou
15 October 1987

He was killed during a coup that brought Blaise Compaoré to power.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓